Zidane statue ordered taken down by Qatar officials

Future World Cup hosts order bronze likeness of French footballer’s infamous World Cup 2006 headbutt taken down.

A man takes pictures of a bronze sculpture titled 'Coup de Tete' by Algerian-born French artist Adel Abdessemed during its installation on the Corniche in Doha October 7, 2013. The sculpture was removed on October 28, 2013.

By:The Associated Press, Published on Thu Oct 31 2013

DOHA, QATAR—The future hosts of the World Cup in Qatar have decided a statue depicting one of the tournament’s most talked-about moments is not worthy of public display.

Officials in Doha ordered the removal of a five-metre bronze statue of French footballer Zinedine Zidane’s infamous headbutt of Italy’s Marco Materazzi in the 2006 World Cup.

So, cranes were brought in this week and on Thursday, the statue’s site along Doha’s waterfront was empty.

Officials have not commented on the reason for its removal, but the artwork had stirred complaints from Muslim conservatives saying it promoted idolatry. Others argued it’s wrong to honour Zidane’s unsportsmanlike act in striking Materazzi after an insult from the Italian.

The statue, created by Algerian-born French artist Adel Abdessemed, was unveiled in Doha in early October.